An analysis on the adoption of IFRS 17 and the transparency of financial reporting in insurance companies in Kenya

Abstract

This study was carried out to analyse the effect that the adoption of !FRS 1 7 by insurance companies in Kenya would have on financial reporting transparency. Insurers across the world and various scholars had raised concerns on the limitations of the current standard being used (!FRS 4) in insurance accounting. The data used in the analysis was obtained from the financial statements of 18 insurance companies in Kenya from 2010 to 2019. The dependent variable in the analysis was a transparency measure represented by R2 obtained from a regression involving eamings from the current and previous years. The independent variables were the Contractual Service Margin (CSM), Profit before tax (PBT) and the disclosure intensity measure. The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) estimator was used in the analysis. Results from the analysis showed that CSM unlocked at varying rates and the disclosure intensity measure under !FRS 17 were statistically significant. All variables had positive coefficients apart from the disclosure intensity under !FRS 4. The conclusion therefore was, the adoption of !FRS 17 would enhance fmancial reporting transparency if, CSM was unlocked using varying interest rates, the building block approach was applied and if the disclosure requirements provided by !FRS 17 were followed